Is the HTC Titan III a yet to be announced Windows Phone?

File this in the “pure speculation folder,” but an Xbox Live Rewards survey started the conjecture. Every month, participants in the Xbox Live Rewards program get a survey from Microsoft which allows them to earn points which may be redeemed for goodies down the road.

Something odd appeared in December’s survey. On question 3 which asks the user how excited he or she may be to receive any of a list of smartphones. On that list is the Apple iPhone 5, Motoroloa Droid RAZR MAXX HD, Nokia Lumia 920, Samsung Galaxy S3 and the HTC Titan III. HTC Titan III?

Back in June, we caught word about a leaked Windows Phone device roadmap from HTC. On that list was the HTC 8S, code named Rio, the Accord which is the Windows Phone 8X, and the Zenith. The Zenith was thought to be the upper scale model of the bunch, featuring a 4.7-inch 720p Super LCD 2 screen, 8MP camera, and a top-end Qualcomm processor, rumored at the time to be a quad-core unit.

Word was that the Zenith would be available by Christmas. Since we have not seen a trace of this device in any way shape or form, and no mention of it was made at the Windows Phone 8 event in San Francisco, we will safely assume that the survey reference was merely a typo and the survey option should have read the "HTC 8X" or something. Perhaps the device was shelved or never existed. Besides, all the Windows Phone 8 devices run the same dual-core processor.

We could speculate all sorts of ideas, but instead we will let you determine your own fantasy. So, if you were to read between the lines, what would you think about the idea of a sequel to the HTC Titan II?

@android fans/trolls: WP8 can take the same specs as Android, as evidenced by the WP8 models. Titan3 will likely be a rebodied OneX+ runnings WP8, with the same 4.7ish" screen to rival the ATIV S (4.8, since it is a rebodied GS3). The major OEMs who do both WP and Android will just pop the different OS on there, maybe change the body a bit (colors for WP, more likely than not), and let it go from there. It's great. Level playing field, no sacrifices for either OS from a hardware level. Well, except arguably cameras for Android, since only Sony seems intent on giving Nokia a decent argument in the camera department. So I'll revise my prior statement: no sacrifices for the running gear for either OS. Same processors, same RAM capability, both have MicroSD support. WP8 has even more longevity built-in to it, if we're honest, since it's made to take up to 64-core processors. I think Android 4.2 maxes at 8, but no OEM has done more than 4 since the software and apps couldn't really use them, they're not market-ready, and are battery hogs.

MeoCao hit it exactly right, so no further explanation needed for the 8-core stuff.

As for WP9, that will likely be years down the road, as, so far, Microsoft has had incremental partial-version updates, like NoDo, 7.5 Mango, Tango, and 7.8 which is TBR early next year. I really appreciate that a lot because it gives the sense that devices will be supported for a decently long lifespan, especially since all the /mainstream/ Windows 7 and 7.5 phones are getting 7.8, so it'll be the rough equivalent of going from FroYo to Jelly Bean 4.1 (not 4.2 or whatever the K-series will be) since that is the one just behind the current main version, 8. We will still see frequent replacements (6-month-ish cycle most likely given the changes from Focus to Focus S to Focus 2, as well as Lumia 710/800 to 900 and now 820/10/22 and 920), and with both Samsung and HTC in the game it wouldn't surprise me -in fact I expect- WP8 versions of the Droid DNA, OneX+, and GS4, and probably even the Note series. They've been doing it since the Windows MOBILE days, no reason to stop now. Cheaper for them, better for us.

29.MeoCao (unregistered)

This is where I believe MS has made fatal mistake. The timing of WP8 put WP8 phones directly against competition which have better specs, so many ppl think WP8 brand is inferior to competition and WP8 devices do not have any time at all to take foothold.

if WP8 phones try to compete directly against Android and iPhone even with the same specs they're still in disadvantage as they are new brand and still have lots to prove to consumers.

Calm down windows fan boy lol I never said WM8 cant support or handle it. What I said was Microsoft wont allow it until WM9. If you haven't seen their trend they follow they make almost all of the devices have the same or similar specs. They wont allow 1080p until WM9.

And I have been using my Note 2 with heavy use for 14 hours and still hsve 39 percent battery, im good thanks.

Note2 is a quad-core with a big battery, and 4.1/4.2 has optimizations for quad-core, so if you had anything less than what you have I would be disappointed. My reference was to the octo-cores which aren't close to market (but can be enabled with the right equipment for the development emulators, but doesn't make a tangible difference for most tasks and apps.

"Windows Phone 8 is the first mobile OS from Microsoft to use the Windows NT kernel, which is the same kernel that runs Windows 8. The operating system adds improved file system, drivers, network stack, security components, media and graphics support. Using the NT kernel, Windows Phone can now support multi-core CPUs of up to 64 cores, as well as 1280x720 and 1280x768 resolutions, in addition to the base 800x480 resolution already available on Windows Phone 7. Furthermore, Windows Phone 8 also adds support for MicroSD cards, which are commonly used to add extra storage to phones."

Microsoft is very picky about their mobile devices and while they have added more customization to the OS I know for sure they cant have 1080p on their devices yet, it took them an entire upgrade to their OS to be compatible with 720p and dual core processors and I bet they will follow this again and we will have 1080p with quad core processors with WM9.

But anyway my Note 2 with 720p non pentile looks amazing so if they do release a 5+ display with 720p SLCD2 itll look great as well

19.thelegend6657 (unregistered)

sounds pretty intriguing with specs i'd be satisfied with, but i wonder if htc would name this phone like '8z' or something just because of this naming thing they have going on now with their line of windows phones

Samsung or other OEM's like HTC or ZTE should launch phablet like device for WP8. It would be a very good device, and it will work very nicely on WP8 with stylus. I think samsung should launch Note 2 type device for WP8.

They probably will. It's highly likely that any OEM that makes a model for both Android and Windows Phone will make the same device for both, perhaps with slight body tweaks (ATIV S vs GS3, for instance, also the Focus S and GS2, or how the HTC Surround and HD7 had eerily similar Android versions of themselves, cheaper and easier for the company)

All content (phone reviews, news, specs, info), design and layouts are Copyright 2001-2015 phoneArena.com. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part or in any form or medium without written permission is prohibited! Privacy . Terms of use . Cookies . Team